 the best so far
I am a former anorexic, and have read most of the books on eating disorders that exist. This book comes the closest to describing what went/goes on in my mind. I especially appreciate how Grace Bowman explains how she experiences life differently after "recovery".
Luminous, surreal... This is much more than a biography...
I agree with the other reviewers and wanted to add that I have read over 20 memoirs of Eating Disorders and this is in my Top 2. It is never boring and doesn't just "tell what happened"...as some memoirs do. It has this luminous quality to the writing...almost surreal, so that it is a true work of art in writing...almost poetic. It paints pictures in your mind using words and phrases that almost left me spellbound. This author is a true writer. She took me on a lyrical journey and I was so consumed with her style of writing. She most certainly needs to write more books!
An extremely powerful memoir by a courageous woman...
"Thin" is a memoir about a woman suffering from anorexia nervosa. Unlike so many other memoirs or autobiographies on the subject, Ms. Bowman doesn't glorify or glamorize this disease. She writes with an unflinching style, much like Marya Hornbacher did with her infamous "Wasted," and perhaps gives the reader an even deeper insight (than Hornbacher did) into what goes on in the mind of an anorexic. I found myself unable to put this book down. It is also a book filled with hope. Ms. Bowman "found" a cure (or at least a way to cope) within herself, and despite seeing several professionals in the mental health field, made the ultimate decision to go it alone and I absolutely applaud her bravery. There is one caution I would give about the memoir, and that is its 'triggering' nature...but I believe ANY memoir that is honest is going to be triggering to the eating disordered population. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to understand anorexia, and absolutely recommend it to the "experts." (Though the experts are typically too wrapped up in their own egos to take advice from one who is suffering, even one as insightful as Ms. Bowman.) Also, I must take issue with the title of the book, which is too trite and meaningless for the content. I see that the original was called "A Shape of My Own" which is much more apt, and I wonder if Ms. Bowman had anything to do with the change--my guess would be that she did not. I applaud you, Ms. Bowman, and want you to know your book touched me in ways I cannot express.
The greatest memoir of anorexia i have read thus far
This has to be my ultimate favorite memoir of a young woman's gripping battle with anorexia. It has been weeks since I read this book, but I wanted to give me some space between reading it at writing my review. The author's writing style is unique and creative. She at times writes in third person as well as first person and at other times she even stops the story to interject very honest and helpful explainations. Her ability to describe her inner thoughts and conflicts at the same time as painting a picture of her outside interactions and experiences is amazing and very important.
To be honest, I cannot say enough good things about this book to accurately explain how enraptured I am about this book. I think it is written in an extraordinary poignant way to the point of being one of the most important memoir's in the field of eating disorder literature. Ms. Bowman has captured what it is like to be consumed by an eating disorder and at the same time try to navigate in the world and attempt to interact with your loved ones, doctors, acquantances, and society as a whole all while trying your hardest to hide your inside thoughts, feelings and reasons for your disturbing behavior.
How do I express the impact this book has had on me and my life? I will be turning 40 years old shortly and I have had restrictive anorexia, purging anorexia since age 11. I have been in and out of hospitals and treatment centers, i have had therapy for more years than i ever should have. I should be recovered now with all the help I have had, but I am not. Somehow, Ms. Bowman has accomplished what has only been some sort of unreachable dream of mine. I would never have imagined someone writing such a gripping and accurate portrayal of having a severe eating disorder and what it is like inside the mind of the sufferer and outside trying to live in a world that refuses not to be judgemental. Ms. Bowman captures somewhat it is I am trying to say on page 240 of her book, "That is the odd thing about anorexia: it is seen to vanish when the body is mended. It moves from body-side to inside, and perhaps it is more dangerous when it cannot be seen." I found this to be the absolute truth in my life, which may be one reason why I am still wearing my anorexia on the outside, even though I have had times when it wasn't so much seen, but instead the discrepancy between my body and my mind's identity was so vast that I had to do what it took to be able to feel more congruent.
I wish I had the bravery, resiliency, and the strength of Ms. Bowman to recover. She is a remarkable and talented woman. I am honored to have had the experience to read her story and read her thoughts. I highly recommend this book and give thanks to such a tenacious young woman for writing it.
|
